Monday, June 27, 2016

Saddle Fire Info-June 27, 2016

For Immediate Release
June 27, 2016, 8 a.m.
Contact: Saddle Fire Information (435) 590-2736 or (435) 680-0354 Email: saddlefireinfo@gmail.com
Dixie National Forest - Saddle Fire Update
PINE VALLEY, Utah The Saddle Fire gained 95 acres and is now at 1,329 acres with five percent containment. 
Yesterday firefighters directly attacked the western portion of the fire.  Firefighters are now using aerial ignition operations to check the fire on the southeast side on the main ridge on the west of the avalanche chute in Forsyth Canyon.  Air tankers and heavy helicopters used thousands of gallons of retardant and water to prevent the fire from moving onto the southern face of Saddle Mountain.
Saddle Fire managers will hold a fire operations update meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the Central Fire Station, 155 East Center Street, Central, Utah.
There are 675 firefighters and supporting resources assigned to the incident, fighting the fire day and night. While day crews improve fuel breaks and scout the terrain, night crews, including engines and hotshot crews patrol areas threatened by the fire, prepared to pick up spot fires and encroaching flames if needed.
The fire remains most active in the Lloyd and Forsyth canyons, burning mostly in the downed logs and underbrush in the conifer stands. Backing fires have advanced the perimeter a little closer to the fuel breaks around Pine Valley.  Fire growth will continue to the east, northeast and southeast in Lloyd Canyon with limited spread to the northwest and west. Areas with live, green oak and mahogany are limiting the spread of the fire.
Property owners are still asked by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to voluntarily evacuate Pine Valley, limiting the number of people in the area threatened by fire. Fire crews identified 500 properties that are threatened.
Those that do not own property in Pine Valley are asked to stay clear of the area. The Pine Valley Recreation Area in the Dixie National Forest remains under an area closure to all uses until the order is rescinded (http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4794/31098/). Those wanting more information about the closure should contact the Dixie National Forest.
The Saddle Fire began June 13 with a lighting strike on Saddle Mountain in the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness of the Dixie National Forest. The fire started approximately 2.5 miles south west of Pine Valley, Utah. It is burning in heavy, dead and downed timber and brush and in the higher elevation by very steep, inaccessible, rocky terrain.
A fire information center has been established at the Pine Valley Fire Station. For further information please follow the Dixie National Forest on Facebook, Twitter, and InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4794/. Residents may also sign up for Everbridge to receive notifications from the Washington County Emergency Alert System by http://911register.com/. Those experiencing problems with online registration may call (435) 634-5700 for assistance.

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